HURAH!

Jean Luc “Djalòki” Dessables co-founded the Haiti Response Coalition (HRC) to bring Haitian grassroots agencies  into the decision-making processes of foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The challenge is to connect traditional NGOs–from the Red Cross to UNICEF to other international agencies–with the priorities that Haitians set for themselves to enable institutional change – to help Haitians help themselves.  HRC is an attempt to give local Haitian agencies a place at the table by uniting grassroots community groups as they prioritize, organize, and strategize for the future.

Djalòki Dessables Addresses the HRC

The national HRC meeting lasted two exhausting days.  All the proceedings will be posted on the HRC website.  HURAH provided English translation services for the HRC’s press release.  The attendance the first day of the retreat was around 80 and grew to over 100 the second day.

HRC National Meeting Attendees

The format used for the meeting was “Open Space” – a disciplined meeting methodology in wide use internationally.  The idea is to provide a work space – through groupings of like-minded folks driven by the same passion – for people to move together.  Participants were encouraged to write down a question or goal they are passionate about – given the general theme  of rebuilding Haiti.  Then these papers were posted and people “shopped” around to find like-minded individuals.  If a proposal attracted two 0r three people, it became a sub-group.  These groups then met and hammered out full proposals, and the members of the group become accountable for the actions they defined.

HRC Members in Action

After each small group met a representative presented the small group’s recommendations.  The plenary group had the right to accept or reject the requests.

Community-based change in action - HRC Proposals

Read more about the HRC here.

Over the weekend, HURAH visited the Galette Chambon Land Cooperative (CIGC), site of the joint project HURAH is supporting to resettle 15,000 refugees from the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.

This 450 hectare parcel of land was originally settled in 1999 by a newly formed land cooperative.  CIGC made plans to develop the area with environmentally sound farming practices, using solar energy technology and natural water purification methods.  CIGC also planned a community-owned tourist business including a model tourist village.  Unfortunately, the banking institution supporting the initiative,  the Haitian Development Bank (BHD), suffered a crisis and the effort was shut down when one of its members absconded with some of the bank’s funds.  Even though the BHD was a semi-commercial bank, 51% owned by members of a coop, the state banking commission did not permit BHD to reopen.  In 2006, BHD coop members took the matter to court and won.  The court issued an order for the Haitian government to reopen the bank, but that order was never enforced.  Prior to earthquake it seemed as though the CIGC project would not be given new life.  Randolph Voyard, BHD’s original president and founder, was moved by the disaster to jump back in to the project and has been working intensely to bring new investors to construct homes and to provide basic sanitation and health services.

The first challenge to restarting the project is to encourage Haitian President Rene Preval’s administration to enforce the court order to reopen BHD.  After a lively and positive discussion, the CIGC board agreed to enlist AUMOHD, HURAH, and other allies to lobby President Preval to enforce the court order reopening the bank so that the sustainable resettlement model can come to life.  CIGC intends to serve as a model for sustainable redevelopment of the Haitian countryside, alleviating overcrowding in Port-au-Prince, providing jobs, and reinvigorating communities across Haiti.  Read the letter AUMOHD, HURAH and CIGC’s allies sent to President Preval here.

AUMOHD President Evel Fanfan Addresses CIGC Board

HURAH President Tom Luce with members of the Galette Chambon board.

HURAH President Tom Luce and CIGC Board Members

Sustainable agriculture at Galette Chambon.

After the HRC meeting, HURAH was invited to visit a tent city set up in a soccer stadium near AUMOHD’s headquarters in Delmas.   Despite continued difficulties with aid distribution, the camp was very calm and organized, and each resident is identified according to the neighborhood they evacuated and their family connections.  Far from chaotic, the tent communities HURAH has visited have been impressive.

Delmas Tent City

HURAH also visited Evel Fanfan’s Delmas neighborhood, very heavily damaged in the earthquake.  He and his family are lucky to be alive.  His home, only half-completed before the quake, was severely damaged.

Evel Fanfan's damaged home

Other buildings in the neighborhood were completely destroyed.

Another complete collapse.

These homes next door to Fanfan’s house were totally demolished.

The stairs on the side of Evel’s home.

Miraculously, no one in Evel’s family was injured in the quake.

After a two-day retreat held at the Cannes à Sucre public park, the press committee of the Haiti Response Coalition (HRC) – a collaboration among Haitian progressive, social, and human rights groups  – met at AUMOHD’s meeting space.  HURAH funds provided lunch and new tarps for the meeting.  Leading Haitian human rights lawyer Mario Joseph and Djaloki Dessables, long time Haitian-American promoter and HRC co-coordinator, were among the many attendees.

Press Committee Meeting at AUMOHD HQ

The HRC is designed to increase the influence of grassroots Haitian social justice groups over the decision-making processes of international relief organizations.  The United Nations and other relief agencies have created dozens of NGO “clusters” that are essential to getting services to those on the ground.  HRC will attempt to provide better access to these clusters.

Tent Cities – Not a Permanent Solution

HURAH visited several of Port-au-Prince’s tent cities, temporary home now to hundreds of thousands of displaced Haitians.  It should become clear from these photos that these camps are not a permanent solution.  HURAH is advocating for a massive civilian relocation project, and is working with several partners to to establish a new community at Galette Chambon in the countryside for at least some of these people.  Overcrowding in Port-au-Prince was overwhelming before the earthquake, and the quake has added new energy to efforts like HURAH’s Sustainable Investment and Human Rights in Haiti project (SIHRH).

Matthew 25

First up is Mathew 25, a tent city that is home to more than 1000 displaced Haitians.

Mathew 25 Tent City

Matthew 25 has a small field hospital (below), but no functioning toilets yet.  The International Lions Club provided most of the tents.

Matthew 25 Tent City Field Hospital

Of course, the dilemma is that the more that facilities are developed with amenities, the more likely its residents are to want to stay.  How do you provide immediate relief services to people in desperate need without encouraging permanent settlement?  Simply moving shantytowns from one part of the city to the other is not a long-term solution.

Alleyway in Matthew 25 IDP Camp

Pétionville Tent City – Home to More than 60,000 Displaced Persons

Next HURAH visited the tent city that arose on the grounds of the Pétionville Golf Club. This tent city grew from some of the first aid airdrops from the 82nd Airborne soon after the quake.  Built on a hillside, more than 60,000 people live here now.  These photos truly cannot convey the sprawling nature of this encampment.

Pétionville Tent City - 60,000 residents

The Pétionville camp is run by Catholic Relief Services, and they have begun to install basic services like the latrines below.  However, the entire encampment is built on a hillside, and when the spring rains come, one can only imagine what the conditions will be like.

Pétionville Latrines

Hillside in Pétionville encampment

In spite of the conditions, Haitians are still able to manage to keep up their spirits, they have even built a cinema to distract from daily deprivations.

Pétionville cinema

One of AUMOHD’s most pressing needs after the earthquake was transportation.  AUMOHD headquarters is located in mid-Delmas (49) separate from, but part of the capital sprawl of overcrowded city housing and burdened with end-to-end traffic and the crush of sidewalk vendors.  With cellphone service spotty and electricity non-existent, in order to effectively communicate with the various groups it supports, AUMOHD needed to be mobile.  The previous AUMOHD vehicle purchased with HURAH funds was destroyed in the quake. With financial support from HURAH, AUMOHD was able to secure this used, but beautiful Toyota pickup truck (the engine in this vehicle, the 1994 Toyota 22RE, is the most reliable gas-combustion engine ever produced, and should serve AUMOHD for years to come) .  Pictured also is the bullhorn AUMOHD President Evel Fanfan requested for use in addressing mass meetings.  HURAH President Tom Luce transported the bullhorn all the way from in Berkeley, CA.

The AUMOHDmobile, and the new bullhorn, purchased with HURAH donations

The AUMOHDmobile was put into immediate service, transporting women labor organizers from their homes all across Port-au-Prince to a labor rights training session.

Women labor organizers arrive for labor rights training meeting

In partnership with ACILS, AUMOHD conducts trainings on labor rights for Haitian workers.  Sweatshops abound in Port-au-Prince, and basic labor rights are often ignored.  Part of AUMOHD’s mission is to educate labor organizers on their rights.  This poster hanging at AUMOHD headquarters depicts rights for domestic workers.

Domestic worker rights poster

Here are a few more shots of the AUMOHDmobile:

Durable Bed liner and Roll Cage

Room for four passengers in the cab

HURAH arrived in Port-Au-Prince via the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, February 17th.  Fr. Ricardo Santileses of the St. James the Apostle archdiocese in Santo Domingo, a seminary classmate of HURAH President Tom Luce, assisted in making travel arrangements to Haiti.

Tom Luce with Fr. Ricardo Santileses of the St. James the Apostle Archdiocese in Santo Domingo

Originally the plan was to fly directly to Port-au-Prince, but many commercial flights have been cancelled.  The primary route into Haiti is over land through the Jimani Mountains.  Bus fare was $40 one way plus a $29 exit tax.

At the Haitian border

Tons and tons of relief supplies and materials pass through every day. Here is a bus with a trailer full of goods on its way into Haiti.

Relief Supplies headed for Haiti

The earthquake damaged much of the interior of the country as well.  As you can see below, the tremors altered the contours of a lake near the Dominican border and submerged several houses on its shores.

Submerged homes

With no running water and only intermittent electricity from AUMOHD’s generator, alternative means for purifying water and cooking are required.  HURAH brought along this donated solar oven.

Solar Oven for cooking and boiling water

AUMOHD’s headquarters in the Delmas neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, rented with funds donated by HURAH supporters,  survived the earthquake largely intact, and has become a hub of relief activity.  Its courtyards are now filled with tents, tarps and relief workers from several different groups, including members of the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), an international labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO.

AUMOHD HQ Tent City

ACILS generously donated equipment to AUMOHD to replace the computers, printers and office equipment destroyed in the quake, shown here.

AUMOHD's outdoor office and tech center

AUMOHD’s headquarters has become a “safe” zone for Haitian labor activists receiving organizational assistance  and tactical advice from ACILS.  Either they didn’t have offices before, or their offices were destroyed.  Labor representatives can come here to use the internet, telephones, printers, and copiers – all essential tools to organizing for worker rights in the aftermath of the quake.

AUMOHD President Evel Fanfan facilitating a labor rights meeting

The offices are secured by are wall surrounding the entire compound, and have quickly become a center for conducting meetings, organizing among relief groups, and providing shelter for Haitian and international volunteers.  Tom Luce ran into Michael Brewer, who has worked with Haitian street children for years, and to whom AUMOHD provides legal assistance.

Tom Luce, HURAH president, and Michael Brewer of HSKI at AUMOHD HQ

Here are a few more photos of the AUMOHD compound and surrounding area – miraculous that it survived the quake at all when compared to damage to adjacent buildings.  An urgent fundraising need for AUMOHD will be next year’s rent on the facility, which will come due in a few months – last year’s rent was donated entirely by HURAH supporters.

Rear courtyard and generator

First floor meeting room

View from the front gate

And now a few shots of some of the destruction in the surrounding neighborhood:

Collapsed home down the street from AUMOHD HQ

Why some buildings collapsed and others didn’t is a mystery.  Most Haitians are still afraid to sleep in buildings that survived, and for good reason – strong aftershocks are a daily occurrence here.

Remains of a bedroom

Vehicles were few and far between even before the quake, making functioning ones quite the commodity.  Up next: The AUMOHDmobile and a visit to one of Port-Au-Prince’s Tent Cities.

Destroyed vehicle in driveway adjacent to AUMOHD HQ

I put this blog together in my head as I walked around the area taking pictures, getting money and attending a meeting on Friday.

What was on my mind is the controversy over home demolition here in PAP, specifically, last summer in Cité Soleil, and recently close to where I’m staying in Delmas 10 plus in Petionville.

It is reminiscent of home demolition in Gaza because it is the government bulldozing homes without any recourse on the part of the dwellers.

Some say that the government must have the right to take property for installing, e.g. a police and UN barracks (Cité Soleil). Some are upset that poor folks have broken zoning laws by building on the sidewalks and violating code regulations. There are those, and I naturally tend in this direction, that see this as a matter of social justice, 1)anyone is entitled to recourse and compensation; 2)the forced immigration of hordes of poor from the countryside into the cities was only to cater to the monied class’s interests (ruining local crops and spawning sweatshops in the cities).We did issue a complaint last year, but have not been involved in this year’s actions.

Our car broke down as it went to get me at the airport Thursday, not for the first time. That’s why I’m documenting the road conditions a bit here as the basis for having to mount a campaign to buy another automobile.

As I walk around the ‘hood and live the life of ordinary folks, I certainly can identify with the plight of the poor. Houses on top of one another, absolutely no open space. Pictured first left above is the street where I live. Next down is a fairly common washed out street which we have to navigate everyday to get to the office. Next is the water trough–no running water in any of these dwellings. Cold water bird baths are what we have to give ourselves. Electricity is on now almost every day for a couple of hours, a little more on Sunday. But then it comes and goes without notice. Our push for solar energy has made us self-reliant. (See further in this post.) And tonight the next door neighbor has started up the noisiest electric generator I’ve ever heard. I can only hope it will shut down so I can sleep.

And back to the theme of fear. It’s really so true about the worst fear of all is fear itself. I said I was beginning to fear being here–due to lack of being in touch mainly and listening to the bad stories–but now even though conditions have probably not changed all that much, I’m not afraid. Today we–an AUMOHD person– walked to the bank, about 15 minutes through the elbow to elbow crowds on market streets and we walked back with a bunch of cash, split between the two of us. This person shrugged off the idea that there might be a problem but he went along with my idea of splitting the cash so that we might save at least half of it in case of a heist or kidnapping (I’m really not hysterical, believe me.) It was pretty hot and crowded as usual. But everyone was so civil and responsive to my “bonjour”.

The culmination of the day was meeting with 3 reps from the Grand Ravin CHRC, Marc-Lucann Ducasse, Patrick Estimphil, and Jean Ernest Point du Jour. Marvelous, thoughful persons with the same dedication and skill and concern I’ve seen consistently with the Grand Ravin and other CHRC’s. These are experts without the credentials in non-violent justice advocacy. If only we could get a smidgin of the funding that so many other undertakings receive. I’m thinking of the USAID funded operations for weapons and defense for one example. These men recounted the numerous shootings of innocents just in the recent past and how they are still succeeding in negotiating with armed men to cease the violence. They were very happy with the justice Tees I brought. They want visibility to help them be recognized and respected. They are ready to open an office for which we will be donating the first CHRC solar powered communication system.

Finally back home Saidel, Evel’s brother and the techie among us went at the new solar equipment donated from Namaste Solar–Stephen Kane co-owner. I was able to read the manual and find out at least for my amateur mind what it was for. It’s called the “Booster” and by that they mean it captures energy, conserves and distributes energy from solar panels in a much more efficient manner. That’s good enough for me.

We’ve been using a tiny (red box in the picture) “inverter” and jury-rigged (is that just for nautical makeshift?) electrical connections. The solar power is still outlasting the public utility power even though it is on more regularly than when I first was here.

It’s now 10 pm and the devilish diesel electric generator which came on right under my window around 6pm is relentessly banging my eardrums. Will I ever sleep? Do we take out a suit against the neighbors for noise pollution–and air pollution? Do we go over and smash it? Maybe they would be marvelling at our silent and free solar system and would gladly buy their own!

April 2, 2009 – Back in Haiti after 16 months. Weird feelings were bothering me leading up to this unexpected (due to lack of funds) trip. I actually was beginning to feel anxieties about my safety. My guess is that this is what happens when one is not grounded, in touch, present to a place and its people after an absence. Feelings can be misleading, if well intended as a protective device, but I’m here to say that the feelings now flooding my psyche are positive, grounded, in touch, enjoying the grasps of the real people, the real place. Yes, the US State Department warns people not to come. Yes, I’m here to continue working on the violence done against innocent people. But now instead of feeling frightened, I’m bolstered in my faith in humans again, because of the incredible (until you’ve experienced it) soulful, deep feeling Haitian people. It is part fantasy, sure, but the banner greeting me at the airport, “Haiti has been looking forward to seeing you”, started it all.

The trip from the airport is typical Haiti, cars bumper to bumper on narrow, deep rutted, unpaved streets. But I don’t experience the road rage with honking horns back home. People just keep moving. A man walks the narrow space between the opposite lanes selling something for the thirsty (below right).

I see people walking the streets, unafraid, focused on getting somewhere, looking alive. Then comes the cute artsy walls of a kindergarten to charm us all.

And another preschool painting on the street where I will live for two weeks. I’m feeling “back home”, a place vibrant with trucks filling water tanks that people come to for house water because there isn’t any running water, with kids playing in the street because it’s “Easter” vacation. I know that vast numbers of children don’t have access to good education but I’m here to be with people who suffer this and yet have a will to advocate, non-violently, for this right.

The neighborhood comes alive when the public power is turned on (typically for a couple of hours). I can continue working on this blog because we have a solar powered system, another richness of Haiti. And at 9:38 the “EDH”, public power goes away. And the first mosquito buzzes me. Not something that happened often before. Out with the mosquito net!